Now I understand why some Tundra owners get lifts on their trucks - long

I don't think you can turn off any traction controls. VSC turns off automatically when you switch to 4 hi or lo. It's the other traction control that seems to stay on in 4WD. That one apparently can only be turned off in 2WD.
The owners manual is a bit confusing on a lot of things.

 

In 2wd I hold the vsc button two consecutive times for 3 seconds each until the dash says "traction off." In 4wd I believe it only takes one 3 second hold. If your dash doesnt say "traction off" then they are on. Not trying to tell you anything you already know, just throwing it out there in case you didnt

 

I'll try that again but I think the manual says you can't over ride one of the traction modes in 4WD.

 

Try backing in to your garage. Can’t drive through deep snow in reverse

 

Yes, you're right. But if you're getting stuck, I would make sure I've got everything disabled that I can
From another thread:

 

A-Trac is the only one that you can't defeat and there is no reason in my opinion why you would want to. That system is Toyota's way to send power to all 4 wheels instead of just the 2 with the least amount of traction like a truly open differential system. Traction control on the other hand will cut power from the engine to prevent the wheels from spinning which is the single easiest way to kill any momentum that you have.

 

You can but my tundra limits reverse to 18 or 20 miles an hour. Not sure how to get rid of that stupid feature.

 

Not sure what you mean. I’m saying don’t try to drive through deep snow in reverse

 

Driving through deep snow in reverse is not really a problem. Its harder to steer no doubt...but with the reverse limiter you are not able to spin the tires at the speed you need to, to keep on moving.

 

I did that in a few parking lots yesterday in my Tundra, good times.

 

That's what I found out, the hard way.

 

this makes my head spin


SPP

 

You need weight over the rear axle. I put about 250 pounds of sand (in bags) in the bed for the snow.

It helps, but does not make you invincible.

 

There's a lot of craziness there but I only ever have them all off, or all on. I also only turn these off when I'm in 4wd, so its a single 3 second hold and its done. I wish they would could have gone with a separate "traction off" button but oh well...

 

X2

 

The other one that I do frequently is a single 3-second hold in 2wd. This turns off all the power-sapping nannies and leaves me with the auto LSD. I call it "drift mode" because it will spin both rear tires instead of dragging one along like a boat anchor.

 

Wow, amazing what you learn. I guess I should be turning my Tundra into a monster truck. After all what else would have drove through that 36" of snow we got a few years ago. All kidding aside you have to accept that there's always going to be too much of something that your vehicle can't handle. Chains are fine but I find that I just don't want to spend the time putting them on. I'd rather just stay home. BTW ground clearance helps but it's not going to solve the problem. Other than the axles (which are still have about 16" under them) my International still will struggle in snow. Usually in the early part of winter the ground isn't frozen so there's no base. While wet snow can be slippery without a base you usually can get down to dirt. But by this time of the year all you'll dig down to is ice if you spin. Also there's different layers of snow. So the top could be fluffy or crusty while the lower part is more like tiny balls of ice. Usually that happens when the temps drop while the white stuff is falling.

I had a set of studded I-Pikes on a Rav4 and felt like they weren't the best winter tire I've owned. I doubt I'll buy another set. I've had Nokians but felt they wore too quickly. I think the best studded tires I've had were Firestone Winterforce. Normally though I just run my BFG all terrains year round. They do well enough not to bother investing in a set of winter tires.

 

I thought my first gen winterforce's were amazing for the price. The second gen I had I thought were entirely mediocre. Im on new to the market cooper snow claws and they have been great so far. Ive had much better luck with tires with tread patterns that are big tread blocks separated by gaps versus wide gripping surfaces. I find most manufacturers have moved away from the big blocks because they perform worse on hard packed snow - but imo the large contact surface tires are way worse for hydroplaning on slush or thick heavy wet snow. I'll gladly give up hardpack performance if it means I wont hydroplane when I hit a patch of slush.

 

That's what I had on my last few trucks. They were amazing in snow even when almost worn out. They were like any other tire on ice though. They would probably look odd on a Tundra because they were a high profile tire, at least the type I was running.

 

I think your studded tire are the problem. I have the BFG AT's on my rig and do not have the problems that you are having. I am newer to the TRAC thing as I have come from a early Landcruiser. You have to learn how to drive the TRAC system. As with the Landcruiser when you push the throttle down, it goes, no bells and whistles. The only thing I don't like about the TRAC system is it will as a previous post says, limit the throttle, if you mash the throttle when the amber TRAC light comes on it will not increase the RPM of the engine. You get what it decides to give you. This system teaches you to stay out of the throttle and keep you out of trouble. It is not good if you are on an icy hill, it could put you into the ditch. Of coarse I don't know anything that is good on Ice, except for spiked tires like they use on winter motorcycle racing.

 

Yes the tires were the problem and maybe coupled with the TRAC system? I have to read up how to disable it. I like to be able to mash the pedal and get some speed which was something I did not get while I backed out. This was the first time I tried backing out as a first move. I'm was always driving forward with the other trucks I owned but then they also stayed outside like a bad dog. This is the first truck in a long time that I have kept in the garage.
Personally I don't like anything telling me how to drive or control how I drive. I've never liked ABS because it feels like you're not stopping and it makes horrible noises when it kicks in.
The way I understand this TRAC system works is that it applies the brakes on the wheel that has low traction. So maybe it helps get traction where it's needed but to me it's now substitute for a real POSI axle.
I've been driving for over 40 years and it sucks I need to learn how to drive.
Here's how I feel about technology.